Merritt Draw Loop (Mid-Lower) - Mogollon Rim • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Merritt Draw

Camp Grasshopper - Mogollon Rim-C/Site#3

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dyellab

John9L

God help anybody who doesn't have a masters degree in Hazology to figure out where they've hiked here. Is it Merritt Draw Loop Lower or Merritt Draw Loop Mid-Lower? Or maybe just Merritt Draw? Is it a riparian area?

It's a good thing I didn't look these things up ahead of time or I'd still be trying to figure them out and missed out on the hiking altogether!

Kudos to @oregon_hiker who descended into Barbershop directly from Camp Grasshopper Mogollon Rim-C/Site#3 (don't worry, I linked that one too!). That's a steep and sketchy descent. One and done for that approach, thanks!

The canyon is pretty dry. Plenty of water, but not continual. We took a break at the U-Bar junction before heading up Merritt Draw (Lower?). There was no water in Merritt for the first mile but slowly more pools appeared which was great for Roshi to swim and cool off on what was a slightly warm day up there. Still beats the valley.

It was nice to cruise on the closed-to-driving road 9735P after miles of rock hopping in the canyon bottoms. It's nice to explore these drainages, and I don't think I had done this stretch before.

[I edited the 4,177 feet of gain that apparently I recorded

]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Unknown VV Triangle Marker

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

1 archive

Aug 12 2018

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Barbershop Merritt Loop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 12 2018
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	12.77 Miles	1,213 AEG

Hiking	12.77 Miles
	1,213 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Barbershop Trail #91

Partners

partners

BiFrost

Met up with Karl for a nice hike up north. We left Scottsdale at 6:30am and headed up to the rim. The drive took some time because FR300 is chewed up from the recent storms. Nothing major just lots of annoying ruts & potholes. We started hiking around 9am and headed up Barbershop. We made good time as we rock hopped back and forth over the creek. We really enjoyed this stretch!

After some time we arrived at the U-Bar junction and talked about our options. Our original plan was to loop back on Dane but we wanted something new. We looked over Route Scout and decided to make a CCW loop by hiking up to FR139C and then dropping down in Merritt Draw. This turned out to be a fun option and worked well. We really enjoyed seeing some new terrain and Merritt Draw was nice & scenic. We eventually arrived back to the Beater and then enjoyed a cold one and returned to Phoenix. It was a nice day in the high country.

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Aug 15 2015

Oregon_Hiker

Guides 9
Routes 473
Photos 8,433
Triplogs 626

79 male

Joined Dec 07 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Maverick Cny - Merritt Draw Loop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 15 2015
		Oregon_Hiker • Triplogs 626

Hiking	5.13 Miles	596 AEG

Hiking	5.13 Miles	4 Hrs 56 Mns		1.04 mph
	596 ft AEG		12 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Camp Grasshopper - Mogollon Rim-C/Site#3

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no partners

This was another hike out of Camp Grasshopper on the third day of a seven day camp at this location. GH and I had planned on doing a loop hike up Maverick Canyon since it was about the only canyon near Camp GH that we had never been to. Unfortunately GH was compelled to remain in camp so I was on my own. I followed the abandoned FR9735P from its intersection with FR139C near Camp GH towards Merritt Draw. I've always liked the hike down this old road. It passes through a fern and grass covered forest glen with Ponderosa Pines towering overhead, a couple small clusters of Aspen and a sprinkling of what look to me like the Blue Spruce common to the Cascade Mtns of Oregon.

I dropped down into Merritt Draw about a mile from camp following a string of ancient cairns placed there long ago by GH as a guide. Once reaching the bottom of Merritt, I headed up the draw to where Maverick Canyon forks off to the right. Continuing up Merritt Draw from this point is very difficult because cliff walls narrow down to a log filled nightmare. I was afraid Maverick Canyon would have the same barriers but it ended up being a pleasant stroll although my feet did get soaked from the wet grass. This time I was wearing my non-Gortex desert hiking boots so my feet were quickly soaked. However on the plus side, these boots dried out quickly once back at camp while my heavy duty Gortex backpacking boots were still wet 5 days later.

The hike up Maverick was not strenuous and I took my time enjoying the scenery. It's nice to have a bushwhack hike once in a while that is this easy. I continued to the upper end of Maverick and crossed over FR9734P and down into the upper end of Merritt Draw near Whistling Spring. The upper end of Merritt Draw is one long continuous meadow with the grass grazed down by elk to the height of the grass on a golf course green in some areas. Large clusters of sunflowers added color to the meadows. I took my time and had a relaxing lunch break in the shade of a towering pine tree before heading over the ridge on the east side of the draw to Camp GH. The afternoon thunderstorms were starting to roll in and I was hesitant to go over the ridge top but got back to camp before the storm started.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Unidentified Mushroom or Fungi

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Northern Flicker

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Merritt Spring

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Aug 09 2014

Craigbhikin

Photos 356
Triplogs 44

62 male

Joined Apr 11 2011
Mesa, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 09 2014
		Craigbhikin • Triplogs 44

Hiking	6.11 Miles	975 AEG

Hiking	6.11 Miles
	975 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

We could not have picked more perfect weather for the hike if we were able to order it ourselves. Made a camp close to the trail head, and hiked up Merritt draw to Barbershop to make a loop out of it. A bit of climbing over fallen trees in Merritt Draw, but Barbershop was much easier. Not much for wildlife, but one friend did see a Bald Eagle. Lots of elk sign, some lion and bear sign too. 11 people did the hike, and I did not lose one, must have been my lucky day. After the hike we enjoyed dinner along with a few beers, even my home brew went over good.

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Craigbehikin

Jun 12 2014

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 12 2014
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	2.70 Miles	409 AEG

Hiking	2.70 Miles	2 Hrs 5 Mns	1.82 mph
	409 ft AEG	36 Mns Break

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none

no linked trail guides

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My Hiking Loop Route today (which is different than the published Hike Desc Route):
This clockwise loop from Camp Grasshopper C/Site #3 up FR139C to C/Site #2 area, then west off-trail to intersect Merritt Draw Riparian Area to intersect not legal motor vehicle secondary & obscure FR9735P, then down FR9735P to intersect back with FR139C, then FR139C back to TH Start.

This short, peaceful, scenic, less traveled, and easy family friendly "off-trail" loop hike is recommended to begin & end at Camp Grasshopper C-Site #2 or #3.

For this, my June'14 seven day vehicle camping/hiking trip, this short loop hike was my first planned hike to determine if after no hiking exercise since 5/25 (except for my ongoing ~24/7 addiction to flipping pages on HAZ

), if my body was up for a few additional day hikes.

My body was.. and this hike did not disappoint with even a late morning Elk sighting this time.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Blue Spruce Quaking Aspen

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Elk

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Merritt Draw

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

Jun 14 2013

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Middle-Upr Merritt Draw Figure 8 LOOP, AZ

Hiking		Jun 14 2013
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	4.70 Miles	481 AEG

Hiking	4.70 Miles	3 Hrs 25 Mns	1.94 mph
	481 ft AEG	1 Hour Break

Linked

linked

Merritt Draw Upper Loop - Mogollon Rim

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One of the enjoyable perks of my Mogollon Rim vehicle campsites is often not having to drive to a hiking TH. This Figure 8 Loop hike is one of those

Over the past three years I've hiked this family friendly and very pleasant, simple off-trail route finding section of Upper and Middle Merritt Draw loop hike a number of times. This trip I planned to check-out the three riparian enclosure sections within this area of Merritt Draw and report on the perennial flow status of a couple of the named map springs that were located on my planned hiking route (Whistling Spring and Merritt Spring).

As an unexpected benefit today, I located three (3) additional springs along my figure eight loop that are unnamed but had what appeared to be a perennial water flow. I have way point documented all these springs within my posted and geocoded GPS Route and further documented them via my posted picset with captions and tag notes.

The only disappointment to report on is that last year I was able to walk right up to the perennial flowing cement spring box of "Whistling Spring" (located in Upper Merritt Draw). This trip I noticed that over the past year some enclosure work had been done to reinforce and build-up the Riparian Enclosure around this spring with a seven foot high fence with "no" access

I don't understand why they fully enclosed the cement spring box without having some type of human access. On my exit day 6/17, I stopped by the Hwy 87- Blue Ridge Ranger Station and leaving without a reason why..?

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bigtooth Maple Quaking Aspen

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Balloon Trash Hauled Out

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Merritt Draw Merritt Spring Whistling Spring

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Merritt Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	appears to be a perennial water flow with a cement spring box

	Whistling Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Appears to be a perennial water flow with a cement spring box "but" is presently inaccessible for filtering or treating due to being enclosed within a 7 ft high fenced-in riparian enclosure.

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

Aug 25 2012

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 25 2012
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	5.80 Miles	754 AEG

Hiking	5.80 Miles	3 Hrs 55 Mns	1.83 mph
	754 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

Oregon_Hiker

I first explored our "Merritt Draw Loop - Mogollon Rim" hike description area on 7/17/11 when I attempted to hike the entire lower draw to it's ending intersection with Barbershop Canyon at the U-Bar Trail #28 crossing. On this first attempt I made it to within ~.75 miles of its lower end when I thought it best to turn around due to threatening Monsoon weather. This is a very enjoyable draw to hike and I have always intended to return with the intent of completing this lower Merritt Draw section and to write-up a new Merritt Draw hike description to include it as a loop connecting off-trail with the lower end of FR139C.

With this 8/25/12 visit, my fourth hike within this middle to lower Merritt Draw area, I have now edited and documented this new hike description "Merritt Draw Lower Loop - Mogollon Rim":

"This moderate, pleasant, and partially off-trail loop hike enters scenic and riparian Merritt Draw with seasonal water flow, pooling, a perennial spring- Drift Fence Spring, and travels down the draw to its lower end at the intersection with Barbershop Canyon and U-Bar Trail #28. From here, following some well and not so well defined animal routes, the off trail route continues with ~350ft of elevation gain to connect with the lower end of scenic for hiking, biking, and driving FR139C for a ~2.2 miles hike back to TH Start to complete this loop."

I do highly recommend this loop and do hope others with consider it when car camping or planning a day hike or backpack in this area of our Mogollon Rim.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Drift Fence Spring Merritt Draw Tibber Tank

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Drift Fence Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	A seemingly reliable and perennial spring with large water pools and some flow (this visit- maybe a little less than a gallon per minute but more than a quart per minute);

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

Aug 12 2012

nonot

Guides 107
Routes 249
Photos 2,067
Triplogs 514

male

Joined Nov 18 2005
Phoenix, AZ

BarbershopCynMerritDrawLoop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 12 2012
		nonot • Triplogs 514

Hiking	13.50 Miles	1,250 AEG

Hiking	13.50 Miles	6 Hrs 30 Mns	2.08 mph
	1,250 ft AEG

Linked

9 linked trail guides

Barbershop Cyn Upper Loop - Mogollon Rim

Barbershop Cyn & Dane Cyn - Mogollon Rim

Merritt Draw Upper Loop - Mogollon Rim

Barbershop Trail #91

Barbershop Cyn Upper - Merritt Draw Upper Loop

Barbershop Canyon Upper

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Parked along the Barbershop trail and headed down into Barbershop Canyon. Down Barbershop Canyon is initially easy, with good elk trails on benches. After awhile the going gets a bit tougher, but Barbershop Canyon is wonderful, with plenty of flowers, intermittent water, and two impressive springs along the way.

With monsoons clouds forming at the time I started the hike, it wasn't surprising I got rained on. After getting a bit wet, I finally found a spot out of the rain to wait out the second half. Thoroughly wet, I continued down the last part of Barbershop, where the elk trails got much better, and found the Ubar intersection.

Barbershop canyon is a true gem on the rim, probably the best hike anywhere in the area.

I went up Merritt Draw, which initially wasn't too bad but quickly required scrambling, bushwhacking, and crawling over many, many downed trees. After awhile of this the elk trails began to improve and I headed up the draw at twice the speed. Reaching Hank's "best entry point", I surprised two elk. One of the elk spotted me and ran away. The other elk didn't see me, but panicked when the other ran.

The elk happened to end up running right at me, not having spotted me. This was good and bad - the bad part was that I had 600 pounds of animal barreling right at me at 15 mph and about 1.5 seconds to react. What to do? Dive behind the tree! While moving, grab the camera, fire off a shot! I haven't checked, but I think I go it!

The rest of the trip wasn't as eventful, I used an elk trail to bypass a portion when I wasn't having any fun climbing over tree after tree and bushwhacking. I think I skipped about a quarter mile. The upper part of Merritt Draw has lots of fences to keep the elk out.

It was pleasant walking through the vast meadows of Merritt Draw. This part is an easy hike that anybody can do, and it goes on for quite a ways. Lots of flowers and green fields. Very nice indeed!

I continued all the way to the top of the draw, cross country to find the trail, and crossed through Barbershop canyon again to finish the loop.

Spring reports - the springs in Barbershop were flowing quite well. They are amazing, but not on the map!

Couldn't tell with the Merritt Draw springs - too many fences in the way.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Richardsons Geranium Western Wallflower - Orange Yellow Coneflower

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Elk

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Maverick Canyon Merritt Draw

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!

Jul 15 2012

Oregon_Hiker

Guides 9
Routes 473
Photos 8,433
Triplogs 626

79 male

Joined Dec 07 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 15 2012
		Oregon_Hiker • Triplogs 626

Hiking	6.11 Miles	975 AEG

Hiking	6.11 Miles
	975 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

My son-in-law, Lloyd, and I hiked a slightly different version of the Merritt Draw Loop on the last day of our camping trip to Grasshoppers campsite #2 on FR139C. Grasshopper directed us to the intersection of FR9735P and 139C a short walk past his campsite. This section of 9735P is no longer used for vehicle traffic and offers a scenic hiking path through a mixed forest of pines, firs, oak and Aspen. I was surprised to seen what appeared to be Noble Fir which are fairly common to the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and on Christmas tree farms in the Willamette Valley. We tried to walk quietly and not talk as we proceeded along the old road bed hoping to see elk. Shortly after we passed the bend in the road where it starts to proceed up Merritt Draw we spooked an elk herd in the forest below the road. We got some quick glimpses of elk tails disappearing into thicker cover and that was it.

As we entered the open meadows near Merritt Spring we encountered a large work party of people from the Arizona Elk Society. They were repairing the fences around the three protected riparian areas. Lloyd and I jokingly speculated that they were building a giant elk trap for the fall hunting season. However a conversation with one of their members quickly cleared up the purpose of their labors. The AES has taken over the national forest grazing lease for the area. This effectively keeps cattle out of the area so they don't compete with the elk for food. The Forest Service requires lease holders to keep lease boundary fences in repair and to also maintain the protected riparian areas which explained the presence of the AES volunteers. The fences protect sensitive wetlands and endangered plant species from large herbivores. The work party was also clipping off small trees which were coming up everywhere along the edges of the meadow to prevent the forest from taking over the meadows. The meadow grass outside the fenced enclosures was clipped off nearly to the ground from elk and deer grazing but was still lush inside the enclosures. This over grazing is one of the reasons the forest is reclaiming the meadows (my opinion which may be incorrect).

We continued up the meadow area of the draw past all three enclosures until we got to the end of the vehicle use approved section of 9735P. At that point we returned down the draw to a point just past Whistling Spring and then hiked to the top of the ridge on the south east side. We proceeded north east along the top of the ridge which was flat and open except for the crossing of one side draw until we got to a fence which crosses the ridge and 139C close to our camp. At that point we followed the fence down to our camp.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Blue Spruce

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Merritt Draw Merritt Spring Whistling Spring

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May 13 2012

Trishness

Guides 14
Photos 720
Triplogs 187

66 female

Joined May 21 2003
Apache Junction,

Payson, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2012
		Trishness • Triplogs 187

Hiking	6.10 Miles	975 AEG

Hiking	6.10 Miles
	975 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

Grasshopper

Nice easy hike through the pines

_____________________

Trish-Kabob

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds" Ed Abbey

May 12 2012

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		May 12 2012
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	3.60 Miles	330 AEG

Hiking	3.60 Miles	2 Hrs 5 Mns	2.06 mph
	330 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

Trishness

.
Why drive a total of 6 hours and spend $75.00 on gas to only hike a total of 3.6 miles?

Because:
.. it was 100F+ in my residence area today at 1215ft elevation and it was a very pleasant high of 75F at this Merritt Draw hiking area at 7450ft elevation

.. this is a very enjoyable area to visit within our Mogollon Rim- Cabin Loop Hiking Area;
.. enjoyable company to join me and good conversation

.. after the hike, a planned picnic lunch that by itself was worth the trip..thanks Trish!

I hope to return again for a week stay this coming June, July, August, and September

.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Merritt Draw Merritt Spring

	Merritt Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	A perennial spring with spring box;

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

1 archive

Aug 16 2011

AZLumberjack

Guides 4
Routes 20
Photos 4,109
Triplogs 494

84 male

Joined Feb 17 2010
Apache Junction,

[ checklist ] False Hellebore (Corn Lily) Unidentified Mushroom or Fungi

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 16 2011
		AZLumberjack • Triplogs 494

Hiking	6.10 Miles	975 AEG

Hiking	6.10 Miles	6 Hrs	1.02 mph
	975 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

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no linked trail guides

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Grasshopper

tibber

It was Tuesday, August 16th, another day that promised to be hot and humid in the valley. So it was fortunate that Tibber (Angela), Grasshopper (Hank) and I(Jack) had made plans to head up to hike, map and explore the Merritt Draw Loop above the Mogollon Rim. As we drove up Hwy. 87, the air became a bit clearer, fresher and cooler and once out of Payson, the refreshing odor of the pine forests filled the air.

The gravel roads leading to Camp Grasshopper had mud puddles scattered along the route and at one place we came across a really big dead pine tree that had fallen, completely blocking the trail. Angela was able to coax Tonto (her Mazda SUV) to negotiate a route around the tree. Then a short distance further, we came to the clearing where we crossed a runoff stream and parked the car at a beautiful campsite in the wilderness.

We bailed out of Tonto and it didn't take long to get into our hiking gear, reset the GPS's and check the photo gear that promised to get a workout today. The first part of the hike was down a series of scenic logging trails meandering through the tall pines, oaks and a group of four really big white aspen. Occasionally we had to climb over or go around fallen trees along the trails, but travel was easy and we didn't have to worry about catsclaw or cactus spines which was a real treat.

At a bend in the trail, we left the logging trails and began our descent to the creek far below. The descent was easy and well marked by wildlife trails leading across exposed rocks and over fallen trees. Once at the creek we found that it was damp but no running water could be found. Continuing downstream, we encountered occasional pools filled with cold and surprising clear water. We were looking for any signs of springs where water could be accessed. We managed to find a couple of springs where water was flowing and Hank made note of them on his GPS for future mapping of the area.

I had hopes of scaring up a Bull Elk down along the canyon but they probably heard us coming from a long way off and were well out of our trails. But there were butterflies everywhere, the damp creek bed was home to numerous flowers and assorted water plants that attracted the little beauty's from all around. Because my main stomping grounds is Minnesota, I was just happy to be out in the wilderness without fighting off the mosquitoes.

We finally got to a spot where we made a 180 and re-traced our trail back to the hill and began our ascent back to the logging road. About half way up the slope we took a lunch break and rested for a bit, then continued back to the turn-off point. This part of the hike went pretty quick as the trail was in good condition and we wanted to get to the riparian area where Hank would be looking for more springs to mark on the GPS.

We arrived at a long meadow neatly sandwiched between large stands of pine trees and filled with thousands of yellow sunflowers. As we approached the meadows we could see two large fenced in enclosures, the first protected with electric fencing. Closer examination showed that the fencing was in disrepair and the electric had long since been dismantled. It was evident that wildlife was able to gain entrance to the acreage that had been enclosed. There were signs of elk bedding areas and several pools of water were available for drinking or bathing and grazing must have been high on their list of demands.

We found another spring, and although water was not flowing at this time, it had been maintained and included a rock enclosure where a pool of clear water could be used to refill ones canteen. After logging the coordinates of this final spring, we headed back to the parking area and got our hiking gear stripped from our backs and packed into Tonto's rear storage area. The clouds were building up and there were signs that the Monsoon was still in effect, so we had a short break, ate some snacks, drank some cold water and began heading back to the highway.

The route out of the Rim area was different than the one we came in on and we traveled along the top of the Rim where views of the cliffs and valleys were incredible. The dark clouds in the distance showed areas of rain while holes in the clouds allowed the sun to shine through to the forest below creating a patchwork of alternate light and dark patterns. Once in Payson, we gassed up Tonto, filled our own bellies and completed our trip back to the baking hot valley.

A tip of my straw hat to Angela and Hank for allowing me to tag along and participate in this great hiking adventure. I look forward to having another outing when I return in October and perhaps we can find another remote and overlooked piece of wilderness. :y:

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ Rides

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Drift Fence Spring Merritt Spring

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Rain

Wildflowers Observation Substantial

_____________________

On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.

Aug 16 2011

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 16 2011
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	5.10 Miles	841 AEG

Hiking	5.10 Miles	5 Hrs 10 Mns	1.61 mph
	841 ft AEG	2 Hrs Break

Linked

linked

Partners

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AZLumberjack

tibber

I first had the chance to explore this very pleasant "Merritt Draw" and "Merritt Draw Riparian Area" this past mid-July while car camping in this area.

I had some unfinished exploring I had hoped to complete and with Jack and Angela's kind offer to drive and join me for a revisit, I was able to share my new area finds with them both and also complete some of my unfinished exploring that I had hoped to accomplish:
..to confirm the perennial source locations of both Drift Fence Spring and Merritt Spring (Thank you Jack for your keen eyes in locating both of these perennial spring sources)!

..to hike and post a revised GPS track to include a new hiking section of closed to vehicles, old logging road FR9735P( http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=205911 ).

Thank you both for a very enjoyable day on our Mogollon Rim-Cabin Loop Area at 7400ft+ and an opportunity for me to give you both a grand, scenic driving tour up via Hwy87 to FR95 and driving out via the Rim Road FR300 to Hwy87. Angela's dinner recommendation at "El Rancho Mexican Food" in Payson was also an excellent choice!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mexican Silene

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Police Car Moth

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cairn HAZ Rides Route - finding Labels Trash Hauled Out

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Drift Fence Spring Merritt Draw Merritt Spring

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Drift Fence Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	A perennial spring with nice, clear water pooling just down from the spring source.. http://hikearizona.com/dexcoder.php?PID=591088

	Merritt Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Appears to be a perennial spring with a small hand made spring box.. http://hikearizona.com/dexcoder.php?PID=594133

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

Aug 16 2011

tibber

Guides 21
Routes 1,182
Photos 36,858
Triplogs 1,570

69 female

Joined Feb 26 2004
Phoenix, AZ

[ checklist ] Heal-All, Self-Heal Hemlock-Parsley Polypore Mushrooms and Conks Quaking Aspen Richardsons Geranium Unidentified Mushroom or Fungi Wild carrot

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Aug 16 2011
		tibber • Triplogs 1,570

Hiking	5.78 Miles	320 AEG

Hiking	5.78 Miles	5 Hrs	2.10 mph
	320 ft AEG	2 Hrs 15 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

AZLumberjack

Grasshopper

Hank PMed me about playing "hooky" or taking the day off to go for a hike with he and Jack up to the Rim. Let me see, "work" or "hike" . Well since I have nothing on my hiking agenda for the next couple months, I checked with my boss (after just getting the okay for my 8 days off for my Glacier Park 2012 trip), to see if I could push my luck... and I got the day off . So after jamming my little toe at 5:20AM the day of the hike, I met Jack and Hank at Wendy's in Fountain Hills for our drive up to the TH at Camp Grasshopper, The Rim. I had not driven on that part of the Rim before so it was very interesting; especially with Hank filling us in on the Beta for the area.

We could see the remnants of the heavy rainstorm as we crossed over and in some puddles along the way. Of course it was the last road heading east that we hit all sorts of fun and even larger puddles as well as a big tree that had fallen across the road . Grasshopper said if we parked here it would add several miles to our hike so I surveyed the area to the north of the tree and fortunately, it was clear enough that Tonto could get around a few trees, down and back up the hill without much duress . It was AFTER that area where Tonto scraped a rock that may have brushed a strut as the road required us to stay high to avoid the deeper ruts.

We arrived at Camp Grasshopper but not without having to cross over a bit of water where a couple rocks had been placed to prevent sinking into the mud. We were so happy to be out in the cool air of the Rim. We got on all our gear and headed east along the road before turning onto the old forest/logging road. We followed it through the forest and by four very stately, tall and lonely aspen. Next we came around a bend that headed northwest and it was from there that we would head down into the draw. It was a bit steep but was tiered so not too bad to get down to the cairn Hank had placed at the bottom.

Next we went east in the Draw in pursuit of the Driftwood Spring. At first we came upon the water on one side of the draw but then Jack heard water running from the other side of the draw with a big pool in front of it. We found the source of the spring! :DANCE:

and it was a scenic area as well. See Video of trek up to this point: http://youtu.be/c-Kng8LgUVc
And then it was on to the antlers; but along the way as were crossing by a pool of water, Hank miscalcuated and fell backward

into the pool. Fortunately his pack saved him from any injury and he got up laughing at himself. We all know the feeling! [-X

Draw hiking is very much like creek hiking except there was a little less water. The yellow corn flowers were getting toward the end of their bloom life but the butterflies and moths were still deeply attracted to them so I got some good stills and movies of this happy event. Eventually and not much further, we retraced our steps to where we entered the draw and headed back up the hill. Half way up the sun was lighting up a moss covered trunk. The color was simply glorious. Within moments the vibrant color changed as the cloud began obscuring the sun. The moss was so lovely and soft

. It was not too far from here that we also had our lunch.

We finished off the climb out of the canyon and continued on the old logging/forest road to the south. Much of this road has filled in with luscious short grass that made it feel like you were walking through a meadow :budrose:

. It was absolutely delightful. The clouds were coming out in earnest now so we occasionally wondered if the monsoon would roar its head 8-[

but it never did. It was also in this area and into the riparian area that I would smell cow. We never saw evidence of cow until coming back thru the riparian area. It was an old and small pile... unless there is another animal's poo that smells like a cow :-k

. However, I know that smell all too well [-(

. Here is the video, Part 2 from Driftwood Spring to the antlers, back down and out of the Draw and to the Riparian area:
http://youtu.be/ynuLl0hua8M

Eventually you get to the clearing which seems to extend for a couple miles. This is the riparian area and was quite a treat to check it all out. We walked in it and around the east side of the two fenced areas all the way to the south before crossing over and heading up the west side. Jack decided to head up the hill (SE) once we reached the end of the last fenced area. Hank and I continued on a track he was trying to create for others to follow. Soon we would also be following the fence line up and over the hill back to where Tonto was waiting.

Here is the last video starting at the meadow/riparian area and our hike around, finished off by a couple stills from our drive on FR300: http://youtu.be/oVX2fwfrDwk

We decided to drive back via FR 300 on the southside of the Rim as we were only a few miles from it. We headed west on FR 300. It was a very rough ride :tt:

as the road over the culverts was settling deeply. And there were a lot of these culverts; even when you slowed down, it was pretty bumpy. I would hope the Forest Service would get that contractor back out there to fix the situation cuz obviously they did a louszy job if the road was sinking around each of them :SB:

. My brother thinks they may have not used enough gravel before putting the dirt back on. Nonetheless it was a pretty drive and we stopped in a couple areas to get some photos. You could see some rain showers out to the east and then somewhat to the south of us.

We stopped in Payson for some Mexican food at El Rancho. You should have seen the special they had for $8.99 . It was a giant plate of food and Jack ate almost every bite . Hank couldn't quite finish his off as he had munched on Jack's wife's cookies on the drive. They were also both happy with the hotter salsa after they had almost finished off the house salsa.

It was a great little trip for the day. Jack had been wearing a new fabricated brace for his leg for the first time. I hope he's recovered from that and can do some tweaking so that it can be more comfortable. As for Hank, he discovered his glass case had broken but not his glasses so that was a good thing. As for me, other than my sore jammed little toe and Tonto's strut, we're a little worse for wear. I'll bounce back quickly, not so sure about Tonto :cry: .

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Atlantis Fritillary Butterfly Police Car Moth White Pine Butterfly

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Drift Fence Spring

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

Jul 17 2011

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 17 2011
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	6.10 Miles	975 AEG

Hiking	6.10 Miles	5 Hrs 20 Mns	1.79 mph
	975 ft AEG	1 Hour 55 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

On my last full day of M/Rim camping this trip, this planned exploratory loop hike which I originally discovered via reviewing Google Earth for my 7/14/11 hike, turned-out to be a real winner

I do recommend and for my next visit I will plan to hike this loop a little differently as described in my posted 7/17 GPS Track "information notes".

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Wild Strawberry

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Drift Fence Spring Maverick Canyon

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Drift Fence Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Appears to be a perennial spring with some water pooling;

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

1 archive

Jul 13 2011

Camp Grasshopper - Mogollon Rim-C/Site#2

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Camp Grasshopper - Mogollon Rim-C/Site#2

Payson, AZ

Car Camping		Jul 13 2011
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Car Camping

Car Camping		6 Days

Linked

linked

Barbershop Cyn Upper Loop - Mogollon Rim